Beauty instrument

ABSTRACT

A beauty instrument capable of imparting a massaging effect to skin. A beauty instrument is configured such that a pair of balls is supported at the tip of a handle. The balls are positioned at a distance from each another, and are capable of rotating around respective axes thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional patent application of co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/358,019 entitled “Beauty Instrument”filed on May 13, 2014, which is a U.S. 371 national stage entry ofPCT/JP2012/071667 entitled “Beauty Instrument” filed on Aug. 28, 2012,which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-250916filed on Nov. 16, 2011, the technical disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a beauty instrument that is capable ofmassaging the skin of the face, arms, other body parts, with massageballs installed on a handle, thereby promoting blood flow and achievingbeautiful skin.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, this type of beauty instrument has been proposed invarious forms. For example, Patent Document 1 has disclosed a skintreatment roller device. That is, the skin treatment roller device isprovided with a shaft and a pair of rollers installed on one end of theshaft, and the rollers are set so that each of the rotation axes thereofforms an acute angle with respect to the centerline of the shaft in thelongitudinal direction. Further, the angle formed between the rotationaxes of the rollers is an obtuse angle. When the shaft of the skintreatment roller device is gripped by hand and the rollers are pressedagainst the skin in one direction, the skin is pulled to open pores.When the rollers are pulled in the opposite direction with the rollersbeing pressed, the skin is pinched between the rollers to contract thepores. Therefore, the skin treatment roller device is able to removedirt of pores efficiently.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.    2009-142509

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems that the Invention is to Solve

However, in the skin treatment roller device with a conventionalconfiguration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the centerline of theshaft lies in the same plane as the rotation axes of the rollers (referto FIG. 2 in Patent Document 1). Thus, when the shaft of the skintreatment roller device is gripped by hand to press the rollers againstthe skin, it is necessary to raise the elbow and bend the wrist so thatthe hand will be oriented toward the skin, and the shaft must standupright with respect to the skin. Therefore, the skin treatment rollerdevice not only operates poorly but also undergoes a great change in thestate of actions of the rollers on the skin depending on the angle ofthe wrist.

Further, each roller of the skin treatment roller device is formed inthe shape of an oval tube. Thus, when the roller device is pressed inone direction, the skin is pressed uniformly over a wide range, thusresulting in insufficient opening of pores. Still further, when theroller device is pulled in the opposite direction, the skin positionedbetween the rollers is pulled at a region equivalent to the length ofthe rollers and the skin is less likely to be strongly held between therollers. As a result, pores are not sufficiently opened or contractedand dirt in the pores is not cleanly removed. In addition, since eachroller is formed in the shape of an oval tube, the roller is in linecontact with the skin to give a great resistance to the skin and doesnot move smoothly. Moreover, the roller device is likely to berestricted in the direction in which it moves. Therefore, the skintreatment roller device operates poorly.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide abeauty instrument that is capable of giving an excellent massagingeffect to the skin, also giving prominent pressing and squeezing effectsto the skin continuously and operates well.

Means for Solving the Problems

To achieve the foregoing objective and in accordance with the presentinvention, a beauty instrument is provided that includes a pair ofballs, which are supported at a tip portion of a handle and located at adistance from each other, wherein each ball is rotational freely aboutan axis. The beauty instrument is characterized in that the axis of eachball is configured to tilt forward with respect to a centerline of thehandle such that the axis of the ball is able to keep a certain anglewith respect to the surface of the skin during reciprocating motion ofthe beauty instrument.

Effects of the Invention

The beauty instrument of the present invention is able to provide thefollowing effects.

A pair of balls is supported at the tip portion of a handle to rotatefreely about the axis thereof, with a distance there between, and theaxis of each ball is configured to tilt forward with respect to thecenterline of the handle. That is, the axis of each ball is able to keepa certain angle with respect to the surface of the skin duringreciprocating motion of the beauty instrument. Therefore, when thehandle is gripped and the balls are allowed to be in contact with theskin, it is not necessary to bend the wrist. The skin can be pressedwhen the beauty instrument is moved forward with the wrist keptstraight. The skin can be squeezed when the beauty instrument is movedbackward.

Further, since the part in contact with the skin is not configured witha tubular roller but with a spherical-shaped ball, the balls arepartially in contact with the skin. Therefore, the balls are able toexert a pressing force and a squeezing force to the skin locally in aconcentrated manner. The instrument allows the balls to move smoothlywith respect to the skin and also high in freedom of movement in anydirection.

Accordingly, the beauty instrument of the present invention is able togive an excellent massaging effect to the skin and to provide prominentpressing and squeezing effects on the skin continuously. The instrumentalso can be operated easily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a beauty instrument according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the beauty instrument;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a use condition of the beauty instrument;

FIG. 4 is a left side view showing the beauty instrument;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which a plane including axes ofthe balls of the beauty instrument is horizontal;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the beautyinstrument;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a rotation mechanism of theball of the beauty instrument;

FIG. 8 is a left side view showing a beauty instrument according to amodification; and

FIG. 9 is a front view showing the ball of the beauty instrument of themodification.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A beauty instrument according to one embodiment of the present inventionwill be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

As shown in FIG. 1, a beauty instrument 10 of the present embodimentincludes a handle 11, which has bifurcated portions 11 a at the tip. Thebifurcated portions 11 a extend in a Y-letter shape in a plan view. Asshown in FIG. 6, the handle 11 is configured with an electric insulatingbase 12, which is made of a plastic such as ABS plastic, and a handlecover 13, which is composed of an upper handle cover 13 a and a lowerhandle cover 13 b covering the outer circumference of the base 12. Eachof the upper handle cover 13 a and the lower handle cover 13 b is madeof a plastic and plated on an outer surface thereof to be electricallyconductive. The handle covers 13 are coupled to the base 12 with screws14.

As shown in FIG. 7, a pair of supporting tubes 16 is formed integrallywith the base 12 at the bifurcated portions 11 a of the handle 11. Ametal ball supporting shaft 15 is supported on each supporting tube 16.A cylindrical cap 18 made of a plastic is fitted and attached to the tipouter circumference of each bifurcated portion 11 a of the handle 11.Due to the thus fitted and attached cap 18, the tip of the bifurcatedportion 11 a is sealed, the ball supporting shaft 15 is prevented fromloosening. Also, electric insulation is ensured between electricallyconductive portions, that is, between the outer surface of thebifurcated portion 11 a and the outer surface of a ball 17, which willbe described below.

A cylindrical bearing member 19, which is made of a plastic andmetal-plated on the inner circumference and the outer circumferencethereof, is fitted to a protruding end of the ball supporting shaft 15and fixed by a stop ring 25 so as not to be removed. A pair ofelastically deformable stoppers 19 a protrudes on the outercircumference of the bearing member 19. The spherical ball 17 isinserted and supported by the bearing member 19 on the ball supportingshaft 15 to rotate freely. The ball 17 is configured with a corematerial 26, which is made of a plastic, a cap material 27, which ismade of a plastic and fitted and attached on a tip inner circumferenceof the core material 26, and a shell material 28, which is made of aplastic and formed to cover the outer circumference of the core material26.

The outer surface of the shell material 28 is metal-plated to beelectrically conductive as an electrically conductive portion andelectrically connected to the metal-plated bearing member 19. A stepportion 26 a is formed on an inner circumference of the core material26. The step portion 26 a can be engaged with the stoppers 19 a of thebearing member 19. Then, the stoppers 19 a are engaged with the stepportion 26 a in a state in which the ball 17 is fitted about the bearingmember 19, and the ball 17 is kept so as not to be removed from thebearing member 19. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, many faces 17 a,which stimulate tissues of the skin 20, are formed on the outercircumferential surface of each of the balls 17.

A permanent magnet 22 for generating electric power in association withrotation of the ball 17 is located inside each of the balls 17 a. Thepermanent magnet 22 is made of magnetic steel in a cylindrical shape andconfigured to rotate in an integral manner with the ball 17. As the ball17 rotates, the permanent magnet 22 rotates relative to the ballsupporting shaft 15 with a slight distance in between. Thereby, a microelectric power is generated due to very small irregularities on thesurface of the ball supporting shaft 15 and slight deviation ofroundness, and the micro electric power is transmitted to theelectrically conductive portion of the outer circumferential surface ofthe ball 17.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, a transparent plate 23 is installed on thetip of the handle 11, in other words, at the root of the bifurcatedportions 11 a. A solar cell panel 24 is installed inside the transparentplate 23. An output terminal (not illustrated) of the solar cell panel24 is connected to electrically conductive portions of the handle 11 andthe balls 17. Therefore, electricity generated at the solar cell panel24 is supplied to the electrically conductive portions of the handle 11and the balls 17. As a result, when the beauty instrument 10 is used,electricity generated at the solar cell panel 24 between the handle 11and the balls 17 runs through the human body, thereby making it possibleto provide cosmetic effects.

As described previously, the beauty instrument 10 of the presentembodiment can be applied to the face and also can be applied to otherparts of the body such as the neck, arms and legs.

As shown in FIG. 3, the axis of the ball supporting shaft 15 isconfigured to tilt forward with respect to the centerline x of thehandle 11 such that the axis of the ball supporting shaft 15 can keep acertain angle with respect to the surface of the skin 20 while thebeauty instrument 10 is in reciprocating motion. More specifically, alateral projection angle α of an axis y of the ball 17, that is, an axisy of the ball supporting shaft 15 with respect to the centerline x (aline parallel with a line that divides an angle between outercircumferential tangent lines z of the thickest part of the handle 11)of the handle 11 is preferably from 90 degrees to 110 degrees in orderthat the ball 17 tilts forward with respect to the centerline x of thehandle 11 to improve operability. It is more preferable that the lateralprojection angle α is from 93 degrees to 100 degrees. It is mostpreferable that the angle is from 95 degrees to 99 degrees. If thelateral projection angle α is less than 90 degrees and if it is greaterthan 110 degrees, the ball supporting shaft 15 tilts forward to anexcessively lesser or greater extent. Thus, when the balls 17 are incontact with the skin 20, it is necessary to raise or lower the elbow orwidely bend the wrist. As a result, the beauty instrument 10 is poor inoperability and also it is difficult to adjust the angle of the ballsupporting shaft 15 with respect to the surface of the skin 20.

As shown in FIG. 5, the opening angle between the balls 17, that is, anopening angle β between the ball supporting shafts 15 is set preferablyfrom 50 degrees to 110 degrees, more preferably from 50 degrees to 90degrees, and particularly preferably from 65 degrees to 80 degrees inorder that reciprocating motion of the balls 17 gives a favorablepressing effect and a squeezing effect to the skin 20. If the openingangle β is less than 50 degrees, there is a tendency that the squeezingeffect given to the skin 20 is excessively strong and this is notfavorable. On the other hand, if the opening angle β is in excess of 110degrees, the skin 20 positioned between the balls 17 is squeezed withdifficulty, and this is not favorable either.

Further, a diameter L of each of the balls 17 is preferably set from 15mm to 60 mm, more preferably from 32 mm to 55 mm, and particularlypreferably from 38 mm to 45 mm in order that the beauty instrument 10 isapplied mainly to the face and arms. If the diameter L of the ball 17 issmaller than 15 mm, the pressing effect and the squeezing effect areprovided at a smaller range of the skin 20, and this is not favorable.On the other hand, if the diameter L of the ball 17 is greater than 60mm, the ball 17 is dimensionally large in relation to the face and arms.Thus, it is difficult for the instrument to press or squeeze a narrowpart and is poor in usability.

Still further, a distance D between the outer circumferential surfacesof the balls 17 is preferably from 8 mm to 25 mm, more preferably from 9mm to 15 mm, and particularly preferably from 10 mm to 13 mm in orderthat the skin 20 is squeezed in an appropriate manner in particular. Ifthe distance D between the outer circumferential surfaces of the balls17 is less than 8 mm, the squeezing effect is given too strongly to theskin 20 positioned between the balls 17 and this is not favorable. Onthe other hand, if the distance D between the outer circumferentialsurfaces of the balls 17 is in excess of 25 mm, it is difficult tosqueeze the skin 20 positioned between the balls 17, and this is notfavorable either.

Next, operation of the beauty instrument 10 of the embodiment which isconfigured as described above will be described.

When the beauty instrument 10 is used, as shown in FIG. 3, a userpresses the outer circumferential surfaces of the balls 17, whilegripping the handle 11, and causes the balls 17 to contact the skin 20such as the face and arms as shown in an alternate long and two shortdashed line shown in FIG. 3, and moves the instrument forward in adirection moving from the base end of the handle 11 to the tip thereof(the leftward direction in FIG. 3). Then, the balls 17 are rotated aboutthe ball supporting shafts 15. At this time, as shown in the alternatelong and two short dashed line in FIG. 3, a pressing force is applied tothe skin 20 from the balls 17. When the instrument is moved backward sothat the balls 17 are returned to original positions after forwardmovement of the balls 17, the skin 20 positioned between the balls 17 issqueezed in association with rotation of the balls 17 as shown in thealternate long and two short dashed line in FIG. 4.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the balls 17 are moved forward in adirection of arrows P1, each of the balls 17 is rotated in a directionof arrows P2. Therefore, the skin 20 is pressed and stretched. On theother hand, when the balls 17 are moved backward in a direction ofarrows Q1, each of the balls 17 is rotated in a direction of arrows Q2.Therefore, the skin 20 positioned between the balls 17 is squeezed to bewound up. The balls 17 press the skin 20 during forward movement, bywhich the skin 20 between the balls 17 is squeezed as a reaction of thepressing force thereof.

In this case, the ball supporting shafts 15 tilt forward with respect tothe centerline x of the handle 11. More specifically, the lateralprojection angle α of the ball supporting shafts 15 with respect to thecenterline x of the handle 11 is set from 90 degrees to 110 degrees.Thus, it is possible to reciprocate the beauty instrument 10 withoutraising the elbow or bending the wrist too much. Further, the beautyinstrument can be operated continuously such that the axes y of the ballsupporting shafts 15 are kept substantially at a right angle withrespect to the surface of the skin 20. As a result, the balls 17 areefficiently pressed against the skin 20, thus making it possible toprovide an efficient massage effect.

Still further, a part in contact with the skin 20 is configured not withconventional tubular rollers but with the spherical balls 17. The balls17 are in contact with the skin 20 at an area smaller than that of therollers. Therefore, the balls 17 are able to exert a pressing force anda squeezing force to the skin 20 locally in a concentrated manner.Further, the balls 17 are able to move smoothly with respect to the skin20 and also to change a moving direction easily.

Therefore, due to a pressing force in association with rotation of theballs 17, the skin 20 such as the face and arms is massaged to promoteblood flow at the massaged part and also promote circulation oflymphatic fluid. Further, the opening angle β between the balls 17 isset from 50 degrees to 110 degrees and the distance D between the outercircumferential surfaces of the balls 17 is set from 8 mm to 25 mm. Itis, therefore, possible to apply an appropriate pressing force to adesired site of the skin 20 and also to squeeze the skin 20 notexcessively strong or not excessively weak, in a comfortable manner.Still further, the diameter L of the ball 17 is set from 15 mm to 60 mm.Thus, the beauty instrument 10 is able to massage the face and arms inan appropriate manner and also operated quickly. Therefore, a liftmassage can be given, for example, to a loosened part of the skin 20, asdesired.

In addition, when the skin 20 is pulled by a pressing force of the balls17, pores are opened, and when the skin 20 is squeezed between the balls17, the pores are contracted to remove dirt inside the pores. Further,the skin 20 of the user is in contact with the outer circumferentialsurfaces of the balls 17 and the hand of the user is also in contactwith an electrically conductive portion on the surface of the handle 11.Therefore, due to electricity generated by the solar cell panel 24, asshown in FIG. 3, weak electric current flows from the balls 17 to theskin 20 via the hand of the user, thereby stimulating the skin 20 topromote blood flow and circulation of lymphatic fluid. Thus, themassaging actions, pressing/squeezing actions, lift-up actions, actionsof removal of dirt inside pores, electrically stimulating actions areapplied to the skin 20 in a synergistic and comprehensive manner,thereby giving desirable skin treatment effects to the skin.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following advantagesare obtained.

(1) In the beauty instrument 10 of the present embodiment, the balls 17are arranged at a distance and supported to rotate about the axis y. Thelateral projection angle α of the axis y of each ball 17 with respect tothe centerline x of the handle 11 is set from 90 degrees to 110 degreessuch that the ball supporting shaft 15 tilts forward with respect to thecenterline x of the handle 11. That is, since the axis y of the ball 17tilts forward with respect to the centerline x of the handle 11, it isnot necessary to raise the elbow or bend the wrist greatly, whenbringing the balls 17 into contact with the skin 20 while gripping thehandle 11. As a result, the user is able to press and squeeze the skin20 by easily reciprocating the beauty instrument 10.

Further, the part in contact with the skin 20 is configured with thespherical-shaped balls 17. It is, thus, possible to apply the pressingforce and the squeezing force to a desired part of the skin 20 in aconcentrated manner. The balls 17 are also allowed to move smoothly withrespect to the skin 20 and also high in freedom of movement in anydirection.

Therefore, according to the beauty instrument 10 of the presentembodiment, that not only is an excellent massaging effect given to theskin 20 but also prominent pressing and squeezing effects are given tothe skin 20 continuously and the instrument is excellent in operability.

(2) The lateral projection angle α of the axis y of the ball 17 ispreferably from 93 degrees to 100 degrees and more preferably from 95degrees to 99 degrees. Therefore, it is possible to improve operabilityof the beauty instrument 10 and cosmetic effects such as massagingeffect to a greater extent.

(3) The opening angle β between the balls 17 is preferably from 50degrees to 110 degrees, more preferably from 50 degrees to 90 degrees,and particularly preferably from 65 degrees to 80 degrees. Therefore, itis possible to improve a pressing effect and a squeezing effect of thebeauty instrument 10 drastically.

(4) The diameter L of the ball 17 is preferably from 15 mm to 60 mm,more preferably from 32 mm to 55 mm, and particularly preferably from 38mm to 45 mm. Therefore, the beauty instrument 10 can be appliedfavorably to the face and arms. It is possible to improve the massagingeffect and operability of the instrument.

(5) The distance D between the outer circumferential surfaces of theballs 17 is preferably from 8 mm to 25 mm, more preferably from 9 mm to15 mm, and particularly preferably from 10 mm to 13 mm. Therefore, it ispossible to apply an appropriate pressing effect to a desired site ofthe skin 20. Also the skin 20 can be squeezed comfortably with anappropriate strength.

(6) In the beauty instrument 10, the power source is composed of thesolar cell panel 24 installed on the handle 11. Therefore, it is notnecessary to install a power source such as a dry cell. Weak electriccurrent is allowed to flow from the balls 17 to the skin 20 by usingelectricity generated at the solar cell panel 24.

(7) The permanent magnet 22 for generating electricity in associationwith rotation of the balls 17 is provided in the beauty instrument 10 ofthe present embodiment. Thus, micro electric power can be obtained byrotation of the balls 17 and the micro electric power thereof is able toimpart weak electric current from the balls 17 to the skin 20.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, a more specific description will be given of the previouslydescribed embodiment with reference to examples.

Examples 1 to 6, Evaluation of Lateral Projection Angle α

In the beauty instrument 10 of the previously described embodiment,which is applicable to both the face and the body, the lateralprojection angle α was evaluated while changing the angle α from 90degrees to 110 degrees under the condition where the opening angle βbetween the balls 17 was set to be 70 degrees, the diameter L of theball 17 was set to be 40 mm, and the distance D between the outercircumferential surfaces of the balls 17 was set to be 11 mm. That is,the beauty instrument 10 was applied to body parts such as the face,arms and neck, thereby carrying out a sensory evaluation for feelingduring use.

The sensory evaluation was conducted using the following procedures.That is, ten persons evaluated the feeling during use of the beautyinstrument 10. When eight or more of them evaluated the feeling duringuse to be good, “A” was given, when five to seven of them evaluated thefeeling during use to be good, “B” was given, when three or four of themevaluated the feeling during use to be good, “C” was given, and when twoor less of them evaluated the feeling during use to be good, “D” wasgiven.

Table 1 shows the results.

TABLE 1 Lateral projection angle: α (degrees) Evaluation Example 1 90 CExample 2 93 B Example 3 97 A Example 4 99 A Example 5 100 B Example 6110 C

As shown in Table 1, the best results were obtained in Example 3, wherethe lateral projection angle α was 97 degrees, and in Example 4, whereit was 99 degrees. Then, better results were obtained in Example 2,where the lateral projection angle α was 93 degrees, and in Example 5,where it was 100 degrees. Further, results of Example 1, where thelateral projection angle α was 90 degrees, and those of Example 6, whereit was 110 degrees, were also judged to be acceptable.

Therefore, the lateral projection angle α of the beauty instrument 10was preferably in a range from 90 degrees to 110 degrees and morepreferably in a range from 93 degrees to 100 degrees.

Examples 7 to 15, Evaluation of Opening Angle β

Evaluation was conducted for the opening angle β of a beauty instrument10 that was suitable for both the face and the body. That is, theopening angle β was evaluated while changing the opening angle β from 40degrees to 120 degrees under the condition where the lateral projectionangle α of the beauty instrument 10 was set to be 97 degrees, thediameter L of the ball 17 was set to be 40 mm, and the distance Dbetween the outer circumferential surfaces of the balls 17 was set to be11 mm. The evaluation was conducted in the same way as that of thepreviously described Example 1. Table 2 shows the thus obtained results.

TABLE 2 Opening angle: β (degrees) Evaluation Example 7 40 C Example 850 B Example 9 55 B Example 10 60 B Example 11 70 A Example 12 90 BExample 13 100 B Example 14 110 B Example 15 120 C

As shown in Table 2, the best result was obtained in Example 11, wherethe opening angle β was 70 degrees. Then, better results were obtainedin Example 8 to Example 10, where the opening angle β was 50 degrees to60 degrees and in Example 12 to Example 14, where it was 90 degrees to110 degrees. Further, results of Example 7, where the opening angle βwas 40 degrees and those of Example 15, where it was 120 degrees werealso judged to be acceptable.

Therefore, the opening angle β of the beauty instrument 10 was judged tobe preferable in a range from 50 degrees to 110 degrees and mostpreferable in a range from 65 degrees to 80 degrees.

Example 16 to Example 23, Evaluation of Diameter L of Ball 17

Evaluation was conducted for the diameter L of the ball 17 of a beautyinstrument 10 that was suitable for both the face and the body. That is,the diameter L of the ball 17 was evaluated while changing the diameterL from 20 mm to 40 mm under conditions where the lateral projectionangle α of the beauty instrument 10 was set to be 97 degrees, theopening angle β between the balls 17 was set to be 70 degrees, and thedistance D between the outer circumferential surfaces of the balls 17was set to be 11 mm. The evaluation was conducted in the same way asthat of the previously described Example 1. Table 3 shows the thusobtained results.

TABLE 3 Diameter of ball: L (mm) Evaluation Example 16 20 C Example 1725 C Example 18 27.5 C Example 19 30 C Example 20 32.5 C Example 21 35 BExample 22 38.3 A Example 23 40 A

As shown in Table 3, the best results were obtained in Example 22, wherethe diameter L of the ball 17 was 38.3 mm, and in Example 23, where itwas 40 mm. Then, better results were obtained in Example 21, where thediameter L of the ball 17 was 35 mm. Further, results of Examples 16 to20, where the diameter L of the ball 17 was from 20 mm to 32.5 mm werealso judged to be acceptable.

Therefore, the diameter L of the ball 17 of the beauty instrument 10 wasjudged to be preferable in a range from 20 mm to 40 mm, more preferablein a range from 35 mm to 40 mm, and most preferable in a range from 38.3mm to 40 mm.

Examples 24 to 28, Evaluation of the Distance D Between the OuterCircumferential Surfaces of the Balls 17

Evaluation was conducted for the distance D between the outercircumferential surfaces of the balls 17 in a beauty instrument 10 thatwas suitable for both the face and the body.

That is, the distance D between the outer circumferential surfaces ofthe balls 17 was evaluated while changing the distance D from 8 mm to 15mm under the condition where the lateral projection angle α of thebeauty instrument 10 was set to be 97 degrees, the opening angle βbetween the balls 17 was set to be 70 degrees, and the diameter L of theball 17 was set to be 40 mm. The evaluation was conducted in the sameway as that of the previously described Example 1. Table 4 shows thethus obtained results.

TABLE 4 Distance between balls: D (mm) Evaluation Example 24 8 C Example25 10 B Example 26 11 A Example 27 12 B Example 28 15 C

As shown in Table 4, the best result was obtained in Example 26, wherethe distance D between the outer circumferential surfaces of the balls17 was 11 mm. Then, better results were obtained in Example 25, wherethe distance D between the outer circumferential surfaces of the balls17 was 10 mm and in Example 27, where the distance D was 12 mm. Further,results of Example 24, where the distance D between the outercircumferential surfaces of the balls 17 was 8 mm and those of Example28, where it was 15 mm were also judged to be acceptable.

Therefore, the distance D between the outer circumferential surfaces ofthe balls 17 of the beauty instrument 10 was judged to be preferable ina range from 8 mm to 15 mm, and more preferable in a range from 10 mm to12 mm.

Examples 29 to 38, Evaluation of Diameter L of the Ball 17

Evaluation was conducted for the diameter L of the ball 17 in a beautyinstrument 10 that was mainly suitable for the face. That is, thediameter L of the ball 17 was evaluated while changing the diameter Lfrom 15 mm to 40 mm under the condition where the lateral projectionangle α of the beauty instrument 10 was set to be 97 degrees, theopening angle β between the balls 17 was set to be 70 degrees, and thedistance D between the outer circumferential surfaces of the balls 17was set to be 11 mm. The evaluation was conducted in the same way asthat of Example 1. Table 5 shows the thus obtained results.

TABLE 5 Diameter of the ball: L (mm) Evaluation Example 29 15 B Example30 17 B Example 31 20 B Example 32 25 A Example 33 27.5 A Example 34 30B Example 35 32.5 C Example 36 35 C Example 37 38.3 C Example 38 40 C

As shown in Table 5, in the case of the beauty instrument 10 for theface, the best results were obtained in Example 32, where the diameter Lof the ball 17 was 25 mm, and in Example 33, where it was 27.5 mm. Then,better results were obtained in Examples 29 to 31, where the diameter Lof the ball 17 was from 15 mm to 20 mm and in Example 34, where thediameter L of the ball 17 was 30 mm. Further, results of Examples 35 to38, where the diameter L of the ball 17 was from 32.5 mm to 40 mm werealso judged to be acceptable.

Therefore, when the beauty instrument 10 was suitable for the face, thediameter L of the ball 17 was judged to be preferable in a range from 15mm to 40 mm and more preferable in a range from 15 mm to 30 mm.

Examples 39 to 44, Evaluation of the Distance D Between the OuterCircumferential Surfaces of Balls 17

Evaluation was conducted for the distance D between the outercircumferential surfaces of the balls 17 in a beauty instrument 10 thatwas mainly suitable for the face. That is, the distance D between theouter circumferential surfaces of the balls 17 was evaluated whilechanging the distance D from 6 mm to 15 mm under the condition where thelateral projection angle α of the beauty instrument 10 was set to be 97degrees, the opening angle β between the balls 17 was set to be 70degrees, and the diameter L of the ball 17 was set to be 40 mm. Theevaluation was conducted in the same way as that of the previouslydescribed Example 1. Table 6 shows the thus obtained results.

TABLE 6 Distance between balls: D (mm) Evaluation Example 39 6 C Example40 8 B Example 41 10 B Example 42 11 A Example 43 12 B Example 44 15 C

As shown in Table 6, when the beauty instrument 10 was for the face, thebest result was obtained in Example 42, where the distance D between theouter circumferential surfaces of the balls 17 was 11 mm. Then, betterresults were obtained in Example 40, where the distance D between theouter circumferential surfaces of the balls 17 was 8 mm, in Example 41,where the distance D was 10 mm and in Example 43, where it was 12 mm.Further, results of Example 39, where the distance D between the outercircumferential surfaces of the balls 17 was 6 mm and those of Example44, where it was 15 mm were also judged to be acceptable.

Therefore, when the beauty instrument 10 was for the face, the distanceD of the outer circumferential surfaces of the balls 17 was judged to bepreferable in a range from 6 mm to 15 mm and more preferable in a rangefrom 8 mm to 12 mm.

Examples 45 to 51, Evaluation of the Diameter L of the Ball 17

Evaluation was conducted for the diameter L of the ball 17 in a beautyinstrument 10 that was mainly suitable for the body. That is, thediameter L of the ball 17 was evaluated while changing the diameter Lfrom 30 mm to 60 mm under the conditions where the lateral projectionangle α of the beauty instrument 10 was set to be 97 degrees, theopening angle β between the balls 17 was set to be 70 degrees, and thedistance D between the outer circumferential surfaces of the balls 17was set to be 11 mm. The evaluation was conducted in the same way asthat of the previously described Example 1. Table 7 shows the thusobtained results.

TABLE 7 Diameter of ball: L (mm) Evaluation Example 45 30 C Example 4632.5 C Example 47 35 C Example 48 38.3 B Example 49 40 B Example 50 50 AExample 51 60 A

As shown in Table 7, the best results were obtained in Example 50, wherethe diameter L of the ball 17 was 50 mm, and in Example 51, where it was60 mm. Then, better results were obtained in Example 48, where thediameter L of the ball 17 was 38.3 mm, and in Example 49, where thediameter L of the ball 17 was 40 mm. Further, results of Examples 45 to47, where the diameter L of the ball 17 was from 30 mm to 35 mm werealso judged to be acceptable.

Therefore, when the beauty instrument 10 was for the body, the diameterL of the ball 17 was judged to be preferable in a range from 30 mm to 60mm and more preferable in a range from 38.3 mm to 60 mm.

Examples 52 to 58, Evaluation of the Distance D Between the OuterCircumferential Surfaces of the Balls 17

Evaluation was conducted for the distance D of the outer circumferentialsurfaces of the balls 17 in a beauty instrument 10 that was mainlysuitable for the body. That is, the distance D between the outercircumferential surfaces of the balls 17 was evaluated while changingthe distance D from 8 mm to 25 mm under the condition where the lateralprojection angle α of the beauty instrument 10 was set to be 97 degrees,the opening angle β between the balls 17 was set to be 70 degrees, andthe diameter L of the ball 17 was set to be 40 mm. The evaluation wasconducted in the same way as that of the previously described Example 1.Table 8 shows the thus obtained results.

TABLE 8 Distance between balls: D (mm) Evaluation Example 52 8 C Example53 10 B Example 54 11 B Example 55 12 A Example 56 15 A Example 57 20 BExample 58 25 B

As shown in Table 8, the best results were obtained in Example 55, wherethe distance D between the outer circumferential surfaces of the balls17 was 12 mm, and in Example 56, where it was 15 mm. Then, betterresults were obtained in Example 53 and Example 54, where the distance Dbetween the outer circumferential surfaces of the balls 17 was from 10mm to 11 mm, and in Example 57 and Example 58, where it was 20 mm to 25mm. Further, the result of Example 52, where the distance D of the outercircumferential surfaces of the balls 17 was 8 mm, was also judged to beacceptable.

Therefore, when the beauty instrument 10 was for the body, the distanceD between the outer circumferential surfaces of the balls 17 was judgedto be preferable in a range from 8 mm to 25 mm and more preferable in arange from 10 mm to 25 mm.

With the comprehensive evaluation given to the results of Examples 1 to58 so far shown, the lateral projection angle α of the beauty instrument10 was required to be in a range from 90 degrees to 110 degrees. Thelateral projection angle α was judged to be preferable in a range from93 degrees to 100 degrees and in particular preferable in a range from95 degrees to 99 degrees. The opening angle β between the balls 17 wasjudged to be preferable in a range from 50 degrees to 110 degrees, morepreferable in a range from 50 degrees to 90 degrees, and in particularpreferable in a range from 65 degrees to 80 degrees. The diameter L ofthe ball 17 was judged to be preferable in a range from 15 mm to 60 mm,more preferable in a range from 32 mm to 55 mm and in particularpreferable in a range from 38 mm to 45 mm. The distance D between theouter circumferential surfaces of the balls 17 was judged to bepreferable in a range from 8 mm to 25 mm, more preferable in a rangefrom 9 mm to 15 mm and in particular preferable in a range from 10 mm to13 mm.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the shape of the ball 17 may also be formedin a balloon shape such that the curvature of the outer circumferentialsurface of the ball 17 on the side closer to the handle 11 is greaterthan the curvature thereof at the tip side of the ball supporting shaft15. In the above configuration, the skin can be squeezed at the part ofthe smaller curvature and the skin can be kept squeezed at the part ofthe greater curvature. Therefore, the skin 20 can be squeezed moreeffectively when the balls 17 are moved backward.

In order to make changeable the lateral projection angle α of the axis yof the ball 17 with respect to the centerline x of the handle 11, thehandle 11 and the bifurcated portions 11 a may be configured to bepivoted relative to each other. In this case, the angle of the axis y ofeach ball 17 can be easily changed with respect to the skin 20,resulting in an improvement in usability of the beauty instrument.

The ball 17 may be changed into a shape the cross section of which is anoval or an ellipse, whenever necessary.

A magnet may be buried into the outer circumferential part of the ball17 to promote blood flow of the skin 20 by the magnetic force thereof.

A photocatalyst such as titanium oxide may be buried into the outercircumferential part of the ball 17 to suppress adhesion of dirt on thesurface of the skin or to oxidize dirt.

Alumina-based ceramic or zirconium-based ceramic, which emit farinfrared rays, may be contained in the ball 17, thereby irradiating farinfrared rays to the skin 20.

It is also possible to use a dry cell in place of the solar cell panel24.

It is possible that the upper handle cover 13 a or the lower handlecover 13 b is not subjected to electrically conductive plating, but theupper handle cover 13 a and the lower handle cover 13 b are directlymade of an electrically conductive plastic in which electricallyconductive powder such as carbon black or metal is dispersed into aplastic.

The electrically insulating material that forms the base 12 of thehandle 11 and the handle cover 13 may include plastics such as acrylicplastic and polypropylene plastic, in addition to nylon plastic and ABSplastic.

It is also possible to form the faces 17 a of the ball 17 in the shapeof a polygon or a circle other than a triangle. The faces 17 a may alsobe formed into various patterns such as a vertical stripe pattern, ahorizontal strip pattern, a swirling stripe pattern, a matt finish, anda pattern-free.

It is also possible to omit the permanent magnet 22 or the solar cellpanel 24.

It is also possible to change the shape of the handle 11. It can beformed in the shape of a cylinder, a circular column, or a rectangularcolumn. In this case, the lateral projection angle α is an angle withrespect to the axis of the handle 11. The handle 11 can be formed in aconcave-convex shape and in a gourd shape.

It is also possible to form the bearing member 19 with an electricallyconductive plastic.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   10 . . . beauty instrument, 11 . . . handle, 17 . . . ball, 20 .        . . skin, x . . . centerline, y . . . axis, α . . . lateral        projection angle, β . . . opening angle between balls, L . . .        diameter of ball, D . . . distance between outer circumferential        surfaces of balls.

1. A beauty instrument comprising: a supporting shaft, which is fixed toa handle at a base end so as not to be removed; and a rotating body,which is rotationally supported by a tip end of the supporting shaft,wherein the beauty instrument uses the rotating body to provide cosmeticeffects on a body, the rotating body has a hole only at a base end, therotating body is supported by the supporting shaft via a bearing memberin a non-penetrating state, in which the tip end of the supporting shaftexists inside the rotating body, the bearing member is fixed, at a tipend, to the supporting shaft so as not to be removed, the tip end beingon a side opposite to the hole of the rotating body, an elasticallydeformable stopper protrudes from the bearing member, the bearing memberincludes a flange on a base-side of the stopper, the stopper includes aninclined surface that is formed such that a distance of the bearingmember from a rotational center of the rotating body decreases towardthe tip end, the rotating body includes a step portion on an innercircumference, wherein the step portion is engageable with the stopper,and the step portion is engaged with the base end of the stopper and islocated between the stopper and the flange.
 2. The beauty instrumentaccording to claim 1, wherein the bearing member is made of a plastic.